For ladies only: PMS

[frugalone]

Do you think it is possible to have PMS or PMS-like symptoms when you don't even have a period?
I'm on a birth control pill that eliminates menstruation. It's a full 28-day cycle, and there's no 7-day placebo row.
I swear, about two weeks into each packet, like clockwork, I become totally miserable. I cry every day, I overreact to everything, I pick fights with people over nothing--and I know my body! I have always been like this when I was about to get my period.

Only this time: No period.

My sister is a medical professional and I asked her about it. She didn't know for sure, but she said her friend who had a hysterectomy swears she still has PMS.

Now, what do you ladies think? Am I nuts, er what??

[Kestra]

Well, our bodies are complicated. I think birth control pills are generally supposed to reduce PMS symptoms. But when I was younger and on the pill, I had crazy PMS symptoms - especially the crying for no reason thing. On nothing, I only have some physical stuff, not the emotional stuff. Maybe it's age, too.
I think when I was on depo provera, I'd have some symptoms, too, though no periods.

And for the hysterectomy person, if the ovaries are still there PMS makes sense, as there are still hormones. If total hysterectomy, then it'd be stranger.

But you know your body best. If you think you are getting symptoms then you are. The pill is all about hormones, so sure, the pills could give you PMS, even if it's not the traditional type.

[Sparrow]

I take low dose birth control pills and they help reduce my PMS symptoms a bunch. But, I still feel anxious and bloated the week before my period, just not as severe as when I'm not on them.

[Rosemary]

I suspect that there is still some cycling that happens even while on BCP, just not enough to trigger flow. I experienced early menopause and it's been about 2 years since I had a period, but I can still feel the impact of cycling hormones at times.

[Dhiana]

My year on BCP was the WORST year of my life! I was a complete and total mess to the point I could no longer function. Cried for hours, horribly temperamental, even felt like the blood in my arms was flowing the wrong way. VERY weird stuff.
Stopped taking the pill and have refused any other form of hormonal BC, I even avoid soy which has an effect on me also.
I've felt normal (for me) ever since :)

Each person is going to be different, I have friends & family who love how much better they feel on the pill.

[frugalone]

I've been lucky--never had any issues with being on the Pill. But I do know lots of women who have had experiences similar to Dhiana.

[frmeital]

For the best of my knowledge, PMS has to do with unbalanced hormones, which could be going on even if you're on the pill, or had a hysterectomy. Here's my blog about about balancing your hormones with natural remedies, which are very helpful to me. Maybe it can help you out: http://www.natural-alternative-therapies.com/natural-remedies-for-pms/

[frugalone]

Thank you--I'll check it out now.

[try2bfrugal]

Magnesium is a potential natural remedy for PMS. You might make sure you are getting enough in your diet. Or try extra magnesium rich foods at that time of the month.

[mira]

I agree with Rosemary - your body still goes through a cycle of sorts, as far as hormones are concerned. I've only started having (or noticed) PMS symptoms over the last few years. It's not pleasant! They're followed closely by a week or so of baby fever...

[ApatheticNoMore]

While I can intellectually see the benefits of having kids, of wanting to give to them, to teach them and raise them and leave that. Baby fever? What's that?

Btw, I've never had much PMS, I've just sometimes gotten a little more weepy and depressed or angry for a day or two. And it's only been obvious in hindsight, since it switches my baseline but not dramatically enough to be real obvious to me.

[sweetana3]

I agree with others that some are just walking a fine line with balanced hormones. Some react to the phases of the moon and others have cast iron constitutions. Track your eating, drinking, sleeping, emotions and exercise. Only then will you be able to see clear trends.

[Yarrow]

I agree with Rosemary - your body still goes through a cycle of sorts, as far as hormones are concerned. I've only started having (or noticed) PMS symptoms over the last few years. It's not pleasant! They're followed closely by a week or so of baby fever...


I went through a early menopause, and haven't had a period in over 2 years, but I still definitely cycle hormonally. Never experience any baby fever though!

[reader99]

I'm a year + past menopause and still can detect a faint echo of an emotional and physical cycle.

It isn't the period that matters, it's the complex dance of many hormones in our bodies.

Something to consider it what Dr. Christiane Northrup says about PMS: It may be over-emotionalized during the actual PMS, but step back afterwards and listen to what bothers you during PMS and consider that it may be truly and importantly bothering you and you just have it pressed down and ignored during the more steady part of your cycle.